Apparatus for sorting sheetlike data carriers, said apparatus comprising a longitudinal/cross conveying device

ABSTRACT

To provide an apparatus for sorting sheetlike data carriers which firstly has a compact and ergonomically optimal design and secondly permits the use of compact and cost-effective test devices, it is proposed that the input pocket ( 2 ) and the output pocket ( 12-15 ) are designed and oriented with respect to the front side ( 1 ) of the apparatus such that the long sides of the data carriers ( 3 ) face the operator. The singling device ( 19 ) and the transport system ( 4 ) transport the data carriers through a test device in the direction of their long sides. After running through the test device ( 6 ) the data carriers are supplied to one of the output pockets ( 12-15 ) by a longitudinal/cross conveying device ( 7 ) along their transverse sides.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an apparatus for sorting sheetlike datacarriers, in particular bank notes.

DE-A 33 33 365 discloses a sorting apparatus with a bank note inputpocket which faces the operator and into which bank notes with arectangular format having narrow and longer dimensions are fed such thatthe longer dimension of the bank notes faces the operator and extendsparallel to the front panel of the apparatus. The bank notes are singledfrom the input pocket and supplied successively by means of a transportsystem to a test device which determines the face value and state of thebank notes, among other things. In accordance with this test, theindividual bank notes are then supplied to corresponding output pockets.The input and output pockets of the known apparatus are disposed in adescending array and located close together. Due to this and theorientation of the bank notes both in the input pocket and in the outputpockets along their longer dimension parallel to the front panel of theapparatus so that the bank notes are easily grasped by the operator, theknown sorting apparatus possesses improved ergonomic design.

In the known apparatus, the bank notes are transported from the inputpocket to the output pockets with the narrow dimension of the bank notesleading. This necessitates accordingly large-volume and thus elaboratetest devices because transverse scanning of the bank notes requiresconsiderably more measuring tracks for large-surface or informativeassessment of the bank note than testing the bank notes when the banknotes are transported with the longer dimension leading. For example,one can test security threads or other elements such as adhesive stripsextending transversely to the bank note with much lower effort when thelonger dimension is leading.

The invention is therefore based on the problem of proposing a genericapparatus not only having a compact construction and optimal ergonomicdesign of the apparatus, but also permitting the use of compact and thuscost-effective test devices.

This problem is solved according to the invention by the characterizingfeatures of the present invention. A method for sorting sheetlike datacarriers is an object of the present invention.

The inventive solution is characterized in that the bank notes face theoperator along their longer dimension both in the input pocket and inthe output pockets but are singled in the direction with the narrowdimension leading and also transported through the test device in thisorientation. After testing, the bank notes are oriented in alongitudinal/cross conveying device so as to be supplied to the outputpockets in the direction with the longer dimension leading.

Cross removal of the bank notes with a longitudinal/cross conveyingapparatus furthermore offers the possibility of alignment along thelonger and narrow dimensions of a bank note stack in the output pocketthereby ensuring flush-edge stacking along the longer and narrowdimensions.

Since the bank notes face the operator along their longer dimension bothin the input pocket and in the output pockets, the corresponding stackscan be grasped conveniently and reliably. Moreover, the testing of thebank notes can be performed by means of cost-effective and compactlyconstructed test devices.

The invention thus permits a sorting apparatus not only having anespecially good ergonomic design but also permitting the use of compact,cost-effective assemblies especially with respect to testing.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the input pocketand output pockets are disposed close together within an operator'sreach or grasp, resulting in optimal ease of operation of the sortingapparatus. Moreover, the stated pockets are easy to inspect.

To permit bank notes which the test device detects as being suspectedforgeries or unidentifiable to be sorted out separately as early aspossible, a further advantageous embodiment of the invention has aseparate output pocket provided between the test device and thelongitudinal/cross conveying device. Since the bank notes collected inthis pocket require manual reworking by the operator, it is especiallyadvantageous from an ergonomic point of view that this output pocket isalso disposed in the immediate vicinity of the input pocket and islikewise easy to inspect.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, one or more outputpockets and the longitudinal/cross conveying device are parts of amodularly constructed unit. This output module is equipped withstandardized interfaces for receiving and passing on longitudinallytransported bank notes. Via the longitudinal/cross conveying deviceintegrated into the output module the bank notes are transferred out ofthe longitudinal conveying path if required and supplied to the outputpockets in the direction of the longer dimension leading. Accordinglyadapted electric and mechanical interfaces make it possible in a simpleway to connect the output module to a basic module including the inputpocket a singling device, a part of the transport system, the testdevice and optionally an output pocket for rejected bank notes.Depending on the requirements and use of the sorting apparatus, one canalso interconnect a plurality of output modules so that differentconfigurations of the total system can be realized.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further advantageous features as well as the structure and function ofthe invention will result from the following description referring tothe drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment,

FIG. 2 shows a basic module,

FIG. 3 shows an output module,

FIG. 4 shows the cooperation of two output modules, and

FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention will be explained in the following by the example of abank note sorting apparatus; the same reference signs are selected formatching parts.

FIG. 1 shows front and side views of a sorting apparatus formed as adesktop machine. The figure only shows the components essential forunderstanding the invention, which are shown in greatly schematizedform. Front panel 1 of the apparatus inclined to the horizontal at anangle of about 70° has input pocket 2 into which a stack of bank notes 3can be inserted. The inclination is provided with respect to theoperator such that the upper end of the front panel is directed awayfrom the operator. The notes face the operator along their longerdimension and are inserted into input pocket 2 parallel to the frontpanel. The notes are singled from the input pocket in the direction oftheir longer dimension with their narrow dimension leading along thetransport path by suitable singling device 19 and delivered to followingtransport system 4. Transport system 4 extends along a substantiallyU-shaped path in the area of the lower, side and upper limiting walls ofthe housing. This permits a sufficiently long transport path to beaccommodated in a relatively small space. This length is firstlynecessary to accommodate a suitable number of sensors in the testdevice, secondly transport path or transport time is required toevaluate the test signals and activate suitable control elements. Theprovided path of transport system 4 makes it very accessible, inparticular in the area of test device 6. Subsequently the notes aretransported through test device 6 for checking selectable criteria ofthe note. In accordance with this test the notes are subsequentlysupplied either via so-called spiral pocket stacker 9 to reject pocket10 or via longitudinal/cross conveying device 7 to output pockets 12 to15. Reject pocket 10 disposed in the immediate vicinity of the inputpocket is intended for unidentifiable or suspected counterfeit noteswhich must be subjected to a check by the operator. Output pockets 12 to15 are also disposed in the immediate vicinity of the input pocket andthus within the operator's reach. The notes face the operator with theirlonger dimension in the input pocket, the output pockets and rejectpocket 10 for unidentifiable and/or suspected counterfeit notes, so thatthey can be grasped conveniently and reliably by the operator.

Since output pockets 12-15 are combined laterally of input pocket 2, andreject pocket 10 is disposed above input pocket 2, the danger ofconfusion between reject pocket 10 and output pockets 12-15 iseliminated despite the altogether close arrangement of the pockets.

Specifically, the apparatus works as follows. Bank notes 3 depositedagainst stop face 5 in input pocket 2 are supplied to transport system 4consecutively note by note by means of singling device 19. The bottom ofthe input pocket is inclined downgrade by about 20° to the left and backso that the notes are aligned both on a long side and on a short side.Transport system 4 conveys the notes with the narrow dimension of thebank notes leading, guiding them through test device 6 which performs acheck by suitable sensors during transport. The output signals of thesensors are supplied to a control device not shown in the figures. Saidcontrol device decides in which output pocket the particular notesshould be deposited.

Unidentifiable multiple removals and suspected counterfeits aretransferred out of transport system 4 by switch 8 and fed to spiralpocket stacker 9. The latter has a drum shape and fan-shaped receptaclesand is driven to rotate as indicated by the arrow. Notes entering thestacker are slowed down therein and then placed in reject pocket 10 forrejected notes. The notes here are available to the operator forreworking.

The other notes are supplied to longitudinal/cross conveying device 7where they change their original moving direction along their long sidesto a moving direction along the narrow dimension of the bank note withthe longer dimension leading through a corresponding mechanism if theyare to be deposited in output pockets 12-15. They are then passed on totransport system 11 which supplies them to one of output pockets 12 to15 in accordance with selectable sorting criteria. For this purpose theyare transferred out by suitable switches (not shown) and deposited viastackers (also not shown). Said stackers differ from above-describedstacker 9 only in that the notes are supplied in the direction of thelonger dimension leading, permitting the stackers to have a much smallerdiameter. This permits output pockets 12 to 15 to be set in a row inespecially compact fashion. By reason of the inclined front panel saidoutput pockets are disposed in the manner of stairs and thus especiallyeasy to operate.

When the notes are placed in the reject pocket 10 the order of sheetsfrom the input pocket is retained. This permits the use of so-calledseparating cards as intermediate layers between individual processingunits.

Should a breakdown lead to failure of the control device, for example,so that proper deposit of the notes in the right output pocket is nolonger ensured, said notes are supplied via output 17 to emergencyoutput pocket 18. This deposit is effected automatically if there is nocross removal in the direction of cross conveyor 11.

As illustrated by FIGS. 2 and 3, the inventive device is of modulardesign and composed of basic module 20 (FIG. 2) and at least one outputmodule 25 (FIG. 3). Basic module 20, as explained above, contains inputpocket 2 with singling device switch 19, transport system 4, test device6, switch 8, spiral pocket stacker 9 with associated reject pocket 10for rejected notes, and display 21 for indicating operating conditions,information for the operator or the like. Optionally, basic module 20can also contain the control device and a data memory unit and an inputdevice for entering data and/or control commands. Moreover, basic module20 has output 22 for connecting further modules.

Output module 25 shown in FIG. 3 is connectable to basic module 20 suchthat output 22 of basic module 20 is connected with input 16 of stackermodule 25. This obviously also produces an electric connection betweenthe control device and the controllable components of output module 25.Output module 25 contains all required driving and adjusting means forlongitudinal/cross conveyor 7, the stackers and the associated switches.Via output 17 one can connect a further identically constructed outputmodule or other output modules with accordingly adapted interfaces. Atthe end of the total system one always provides emergency output pocket18 at output 17 of the last module connected to basic module 20.

FIG. 4 shows the cooperation of output module 25 with a furtheridentically constructed module. Notes reach longitudinal/cross conveyingdevice 7 via input 17 of output module 25. If a note is to be depositedin one of output pockets 12 to 15, the cross removal is activated in thelongitudinal/cross conveying device and the note supplied to one ofoutput pockets 12-15 via transport system 11. If the note is to bedeposited in another output pocket it is transported further withoutcross removal and passed via output 17 of output module 25 to input 16′of following module 25′. In output module 25′ either a cross removal fordeposit in one of output pockets 12′ to 15′ can then be effected or thenote can be transported further via output 17′.

FIG. 5 shows a possible configuration of a bank note sorting apparatuswith altogether eight output pockets 12 to 15 and 12′ to 15′. Thisconfiguration is suitable for example for a sorting mode whereby notesof different denominations and positions are to be deposited indifferent output pockets.

The configuration shown in FIG. 5 is characterized by a very compactdesign despite the large number of output pockets. In this configurationinput pocket 2, reject pocket 10 for notes requiring reworking, and theother output pockets in output modules 25 and 25′ are also disposed inthe immediate vicinity of each other and thus within the operator'sreach. In all input and output pockets accessible to the operator thenotes are disposed with their longer dimension facing the operator andparallel to the front panel of the apparatus. This means that even amachine configuration with a large number of output pockets ischaracterized by high operating convenience.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for sorting sheet-like data carriershaving a narrow dimension and a longer dimension, comprising: a singlingdevice in communication with an input pocket for singling said datacarriers one at a time; a transport system for transporting said datacarriers from said singling device to at least one output pocket; a testdevice integrated into the transport system and located between saidinput pocket and said at least one output pocket; and alongitudinal/cross conveying device positioned between said test deviceand said at least one output pocket for transporting each of said datacarriers from said test device to said at least one output pocket;wherein the input pocket and the at least one output pocket aredimensioned and configured such that the longer dimension of said datacarriers located in said input pocket and said at least one outputpocket is generally parallel to a front side of the apparatus; whereinthe singling device and the transport system are configured such thateach of said data carriers are transported through the test device in adirection parallel to the longer dimension of the data carriers, andsaid longitudinal/cross conveying device is arranged to transport eachof said data carriers to said at least one output pocket in a directionparallel to the narrow dimension of the data carriers.
 2. The apparatusaccording to claim 1 wherein the input pocket and the at least oneoutput pocket are positioned laterally across from one another along thefront side of said apparatus to permit access by an operator.
 3. Theapparatus according to claim 1 wherein a switch is positioned betweenthe test device and the longitudinal/cross conveying device and arrangedto transfer and transport an unidentifiable or suspect counterfeit datacarrier to a reject pocket.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 3wherein the reject pocket is positioned along the front side of theapparatus to permit access by an operator.
 5. The apparatus according toclaim 1 wherein the transport system extends along a generally U-shapedpath commencing at the input pocket via the test device and directedtowards the longitudinal/cross conveying device.
 6. The apparatusaccording to claim 5 wherein the U-shaped path extends near theperiphery of the apparatus.
 7. The apparatus according to claim 1wherein a basic module of the apparatus includes the input pocket, thesingling device, the transport system, the test device and a rejectpocket.
 8. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a modularlyconstructed output unit of the apparatus includes the longitudinal/crossconveying device and the at least one output pocket.
 9. The apparatusaccording to claim 8 wherein the output unit includes standardized inputand output devices positioned along mutually opposite sides of saidlongitudinal/cross conveying device.
 10. The apparatus according toclaim 9 wherein the longitudinal/cross conveying device transfers thedata carriers from the transport system to said at least one outputpocket.
 11. The apparatus according to claim 1 comprising a plurality ofoutput pockets arranged in a descending array along the face of theapparatus.
 12. The apparatus according to claim 11 wherein saidplurality of output pockets are positioned below said longitudinal/crossconveying device.
 13. The apparatus according to claim 11 wherein theplurality of output pockets are configured in a stair-like pattern. 14.The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the front side of saidapparatus is inclined at an angle about 70°.
 15. A method for sortingsheet-like data carriers having a narrow dimension and a longerdimension comprising the steps of: inserting the data carriers into aninput pocket disposed along a front face of said apparatus such that thelonger dimension of the data carriers is parallel therewith; singlingeach of said data carriers from the input pocket; transporting each ofsaid data carriers in a direction parallel with said longer dimension ofsaid data carriers with a transport system defining a transport path andpassing through a test device; inspecting each of said data carrierswith said test device; transporting each of said data carriers to alongitudinal/cross conveying device, said longitudinal/cross conveyingdevice transporting said data carriers in a direction parallel to saidnarrow dimension of said data carriers; and depositing each of said datacarriers in at least one output pocket disposed along the front face ofthe apparatus and positioning said data carriers such that said longerdimension thereof is parallel with the front face of the apparatus.